Equus ferus caballus - a large odd-toed herbivores. Is it a pony or a horse? Now both, actually! The word "horse" refers to the species, and a "pony" is simply a kind of horse!
First it must be made clear that not baby horses ponies! Them as big as their genetics determine all adult breeds that will only grow. As with horses, a pony is a baby foal. If it is male, we call it a stallion, if female, a filly.
It is generally accepted that a horse that is high at 14.2 hands or under is a pony. But what is a "hand"? A hand is a unit of measurement equal to 4 inches. The horse is standing and from the ground to the highest point of the withers on a flat surface. The withers are simply the shoulders of the horse, and of the bumps between the underside of the neck and the start of the back.
However, it is not so easy to find the ponies under the horses! It is also the conformation of the animal. All domesticated animals selectively bred for a specific purpose, and the shape of her body will often reflect their purpose. Take for instance the big hips of the Quarter Horse, which provide propulsion for fast speed and turns, useful in working cattle. Or consider the great wide body of the Clydesdale makes it suitable for towing heavy loads.
Environment may also play a role in the ultimate size or shape of an animal. Many ponies can not particularly rich or abundant to pursue their origin in harsh environments where the food was. The smaller horses survived in these areas, and finally produces race of smaller animals. Also, many of these habitats have cold harsh winters, which explains the heavy winter coats and thick mane of many pony breeds.
So often environment plays a role in an animal's appearance, but people ultimately determine what they want to look a certain race. Shetlands and other small ponies were often used in the mines, so that their natural small size was a positive attribute, and was held by selective breeding. If the people had determined a need for a larger, brighter animal breeding to produce these features would have encouraged. Finally a group or groups decide what features they want in a particular breed of animal, and that is the standard by which the breed is judged. In an established breed, see all members equally in body type, or conformation.
So, what do ponies have properties? Short stature is the most obvious feature, as the longer thicker manes and tails, and a thick winter coat. They often have shorter wider neck and a head that is quite large in proportion to their body size. Her legs are thick, so much so that their hooves are often larger than a horse's hooves!
But all this is complicated, and there are always exceptions! Welsh are of course more refined and horse-like, but are considered to be ponies, while Iceland horses are short and stocky, but as a 'horse'! Miniature horses are really very small, but of conformation and breed name, or 'horse'. Then there are polo ponies that actually horses, and everyone likes to watch the 'ponies' run, though most people know that a whole blood is absolutely a "horse"! In these cases, 'pony' used as a term of endearment, rather than a racial designation.
Thus, while the size and shape will help you find the ponies of the horses, there is no guarantee that every time! Remember, though, that there are many breeds called ponies and many developed in different environments and with a different purpose in mind. But not overly concerned with the size alone. After all, there are some pretty big ponies and small horses some more. Remember that no matter what you call it, it Equus ferus caballus is - an animal whose history is intertwined with their own and their service has us where we are today. Without the horse everything would be completely different!...
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